Blue Spark Technologies to Highlight Battery-Powered Semi-Passive RFID Sensor Applications for Cold Chains at 2012 Sensors Expo

Blue Spark Technologies has announced its participation in the 2012 Sensors Expo on June 6-7, 2012 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.

At booth 831, Blue Spark will demonstrate how the company’s carbon-zinc batteries can be used as a primary low-voltage power source to activate new and innovative sensor solutions design engineers can deploy in food, beverage, pharmaceutical and chemical supply chain logistics and other operations.

“One major challenge in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and chemical industries today is effective cold chain management,”said Matt Ream, Blue Spark vice president of marketing. “The issue is particularly pressing today because global supply chains often involve multiple shippers, warehouses and distributors, which increase complexity and the risk of non-compliance at one or more points along the chain. Printed electronics technology advancements have enabled the development of sensor solutions that are practical, affordable and easy to integrate into existing track-and-trace supply chain processes.”

To tap into this high-volume market, Blue Spark has formed technology partnerships with developers of low power integrated circuits, such as EM Microelectronic and IDS Microchip, to develop time-and-temperature monitoring and data logging solutions based on battery-assisted passive (BAP) RFID. Depending on user requirements, Blue Spark’s thin, flexible batteries can be combined with other printed electronic components, such as programmable chips, RFID tags and antennas, conductive and color-changing electro-chromic inks, and sensors that detect temperature, humidity, vibration or shock.

“Real-time time-and-temperature monitoring and data logging systems powered by thin, flexible printed batteries will allow suppliers of perishable food and pharmaceuticals to monitor compliance and proper handling from point of origin to point of delivery,” Ream added. “This is essential to protect consumers, ensure product quality, and minimize waste and loss caused by improper handling and transport of perishable consumables and temperature sensitive chemicals.”